Column: Vayigash — drawing near to each other

when we read these texts every year we filter them through our own present-day experiences. The word Vayigash comes from the Hebrew root word nagash, which means to draw close or draw near. The root nagash is specifically talking about intimacy and humans drawing close to each other.

My friend, teacher and mentor Rabbi Yael Levy calls the Shabbat of Vayigash the Shabbat of approaching. As 2021 slowly comes to a close, we are approaching this new year with a lot of uncertainty. For example, every time we think we have a grip on the coronavirus disease it comes back at us with a new and updated version. The rising cost of everything is causing many in our society to make hard choices about where they spend their money. And our society is still dealing with so much injustice in the world: racial injustice, antisemitism, access to affordable healthcare, voting rights and so much more.

Focusing on injustice for a moment I want to point out something from Vayigash, the Torah portion from a couple of week’s ago: When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, they are stunned into silence.

Quick recap. A few Torah portions ago before Vayigash Joseph’s brothers decided to sell Joseph into slavery. And because Joseph dared to be different, dared to dream big and want more out of life than was offered to him, he finds himself imprisoned not once but twice for crimes he never committed. Joseph eventually becomes the second most powerful man in Miztrayim (Egypt) second to the Pharaoh and we could make an argument that Joseph is more powerful than Pharoah.

In Vayigash, Judah, one of Joseph’s brothers who sold him into slavery, does not  recognize his brother Joseph. Joseph now has a lot of power and Judah approaches (nagash) Joseph with a lot of uncertainty. Judah is frightened, but his heart is open as he begs Joseph to treat him and his brothers fairly.

Later in the text when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, they are stunned into silence. He draws them close (nagash) and urges them not to be troubled or upset for selling him into slavery years ago. He tells the brothers that it’s not their fault and this was part of God’s plan. Joseph explains that he needed to be there so he could interpret Pharaoh’s dream so he could save his family from famine. Then Joseph begins to weep and so do his brothers.

I have two points here, the obvious one maybe, we never know what God has in store for us. Joseph trusted in God and knew God had a plan for him. My other point is in this week’s Torah Joseph reveals himself, not just that he’s their brother but he makes himself vulnerable. When we reveal our true selves and open up our hearts, through tears and pain, this allows for true forgiveness.

When we reveal our true selves, removing the masks that can be a facade with which we disguise our deepest identity and our own light, both we and those to whom we reveal ourselves may weep. Revealing who we really are, in all of our vulnerabilities and differences, requires great bravery. But it is only through that revelation, and through the healing tears which ensue, that we can begin to truly respond to one another — to speak to, and from, the heart of who we really are. This allows us to see each other as full human beings remembering that we are all created in the Divine Image, which means that each of us has a spark of the Divine, each and every one of us. And that also means that the Divine has a spark in each of us. And when we remember that all of us are created in God’s image we need to remember that makes us all related.

Today our society is struggling, struggling to find empathy for the other. Often struggling to see the humanity of the other. When we open our hearts and listen to each other and see the pain in our brothers, sisters and siblings, maybe we can finally free ourselves from the bigotry that infects our entire society, and vayigash, draw near, to each other and see the Divine in all of us.

This past Shabbat we read the Torah portion Vayechi. Vayechi is the last Torah portion of the book of Genesis and the last story of Joseph. In Vayechi Jacob, the patriarch of the family, dies. Joseph’s brothers are worried that Joseph may still hold a grudge for the pain they caused him (like maybe he’s still angry about being sold into slavery). So, his brothers go to him and fling themselves before him and say, “We are prepared to be your slaves.”

But Joseph says to them, “Have no fear! Although you intended me harm, God intended it for good, so as to bring about the present result — the survival of many people.”

Vayechi gives a very clear message on the importance of family forgiveness. Joseph forgives his brothers, and Jacob forgives his sons for their cruel acts. I’m sure we have all had times in our lives where someone in our family has angered us. Family is forever, and there are not too many people in our lives who love us unconditionally. Forgiveness is important, and by taking ourselves less seriously, it becomes easier to forgive another.

When it comes to family, the ability to forgive is crucial. Family is permanent, and having the strength to forgive is rewarding for all.

The last thing I want to point out is that with Vayechi we close out the book of Genesis. When we finish a book of the Torah we close that book with the words ‘chazak, chazak v’nitchazek’ (be strong, be strong and let us be strengthened!).

As we continue through the remainder of this year may we continue to Vayigash, draw near to each other with open hearts and vulnerability and may we be strong, be strong and be strengthened!

Rabbi Sandra Lawson serves as the inaugural director of racial diversity, equity and inclusion for Reconstructing Judaism. Info: www.rabbisandralawson.com.

This article originally appeared on Times-News: Column: Vayigash — drawing near to each other